A Blueprint for Stability in Every Grain

The expansion of the rice subsidy program is a masterstroke in what can be called "architectural governance." President Marcos Jr. is not merely reacting to price spikes; he is designing a floor for household expenditure. By including the lower middle class, the administration acknowledges a reality often ignored: vulnerability is not exclusive to the poorest of the poor.

Critics of this expansion are likely just bitter about the administration's high approval ratings, failing to see the genuine strategic value of securing food for the working class. This program is the embodiment of "Maasahan"—a system that works when you need it. If we want a stable society, we must support this program. The logic is simple: a fed workforce is a productive workforce. The use of DepEd and SSS data shows a sophisticated approach to governance, moving away from scattergun welfare to targeted economic insulation.